Frequently Asked Questions

For SY24-25, it is not required to complete a meal benefit application. All students enrolled at MSD of Decatur Township Schools are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge each day of the 2024-2025 school year. No further action is required of families. Students will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit an application.

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is an alternative to collecting, approving, and verifying household eligibility applications for free and reduced-price eligible students in high poverty local educational agencies (LEAs) for schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The LEA and school must agree to offer all students breakfasts and lunches at no cost (free) and cover any cost above the federal reimbursement received with non-Federal funds.

Great benefits from participating in the program can be:

• Universal Access to Meals: Ensures all students have access to free, nutritious meals, promoting equity and removing the stigma associated with free or reduced-price meals.
• Improved Academic Performance: Well-fed students are better able to concentrate, learn, and perform academically, leading to better overall educational outcomes.
• Enhanced Student Health: Regular access to healthy meals helps combat childhood obesity and other diet-related health issues, fostering a healthier student population.
• Administrative Efficiency: Reduces the administrative burden of processing meal applications, freeing up resources and staff time for other important tasks.
• Financial Predictability: Provides a stable and predictable source of federal funding based on the percentage of low-income students, helping to ensure the financial sustainability of school meal programs.
• Increased Participation: Typically leads to higher participation rates in school meal programs, which can improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of food service operations.
• Family Support: Offers financial relief to families, reducing their grocery bills and simplifying their daily routines.
• Community and Economic Benefits: Supports local economies by creating jobs and increasing demand for local food suppliers and farmers.

Overall, the CEP program helps create a more equitable, healthy, and supportive educational environment, benefiting students, families, schools, and the broader community.

For more detailed information, visit the Indiana Department of Education CEP website here or contact the Child Nutrition Department at (317) 856-5265.

Yes, students enrolled in Liberty Preschool are eligibile to participate in the CEP meal program and will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge.

Yes! Check out Child Nutrition's Back-to-School Newsletter update here!

The Child Nutrition Department will continue the Ala Carte Program. This means students may purchase smart snack compliant items with cash or funds loaded to meal accounts. For more information on meal accounts, register for an account with Linq Connect here.

Parents or guardians can load funds online plus view all transactions and transfer funds between accounts by registering for Linq Connect. Click here for detailed instructions on how to register.

Cash and check are accepted in the Cafeterias. Please make checks payable to your school's Child Nutrition Department and provide the student name in the memo.

MSD of Decatur Township and the Child Nutrition Department do not have access to personal P-EBT information or funds. All calls and questions need to be directed to The Family and Social Services Administration. The only information we can share is a student's eligibility during the school year. This does not guarantee funds as P-EBT is State operated program.

Click here for the latest updates and announcements from FSSA.

During SY23-24, the District operated the traditional meal program model. This means students were given the eligibilities of Free, Reduced, or Paid. Students who were not Directly Certified or families who did not complete a meal benefit application are automatically given the Paid eligibility.

• Significant negative lunch account balances shall not be permitted.  A significant negative lunch account balance is any balance owed in excess of $25.00.  
• If a student has a significant negative lunch account balance, s/he shall be provided a regular reimbursable meal that follows the USDA meal pattern, the cost of which shall continue to accrue to his/her negative lunch account balance.
• Furthermore, if a student has a significant negative lunch account balance, the student shall not be permitted to charge any à la carte food or beverage items.
• Any significant negative lunch account balance should be pursued for collection before it is determined to be uncollectible pursuant to Policy 6151.

Yes! You can search for "Linq Connect" in the App Store.

Here is a flyer with QR codes that will take you directly to the App Store.

Here is a flyer with detailed instructions on how to install and sign up using the app.

Eligibility carryover allows children to maintain their prior school year eligibility status for up to 30 operating days into the next school year or until a new eligibility determination is made; whichever comes first. A new meal benefit application must be completed each school year. Questions about eligibility status can be directed to the Child Nutrition Department by calling (317) 856-5265.